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Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band
When a jazz-loving rooster sets his sights on winning a barnyard talent show, he realizes he can't do it as a solo act. He's up against the talents of Mules Davis's cool duo and Ella Finchgerald's singing group.
Colorful artwork from artist Tim Bowers ensures this story doesn't miss a beat. A glossary of musical terms and intruments rounds out this perfect introduction to jazz for young readers.
Colorful artwork from artist Tim Bowers ensures this story doesn't miss a beat. A glossary of musical terms and intruments rounds out this perfect introduction to jazz for young readers.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
22 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Kwame Alexander
93 books3,154 followersKwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 21 books, including The Crossover, which received the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children, the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, The NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the Passaic Poetry Prize. Kwame writes for children of all ages. His other works include Surf's Up, a picture book; Booked, a middle grade novel; and He Said She Said, a YA novel.
Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded.
Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
September 24, 2011
A rhyming tale about a rooster who starts a jazz band. What I liked most is that all the animals are named after a famous musician (Duke Ellington, Ella Finchgerald, etc). There's a glossary in the back that explains who each animal is named after as well as a timeline of jazz. This would be great to use in music class-pair it with Chicken Dance for a rocking musical animal storytime.
April 16, 2018
This has quickly become a bedtime favorite in our household. The rhythm and clever word choice of the story flows easy off the tongue, and my kids love the playful, creative characters. The story also has a great message about having confidence and believing in yourself.
October 11, 2020
The Brown Bookshelf recommends the picture book Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band (2011) by Kwame Alexander. The age range for the text is 3-7. This is a Fountas and Pinnell level L text which is 2nd grade equivalent.
The story is about a rooster who wants to be a jazz star and tries to join several bands to win the farms talent show, but after several obstacles he starts his own. The story is told through rhyme with visuals of instruments and with settings capturing the look and feel of the historical time period of Latin and African American Jazz musicians, which are represented by animals to appeal to young viewers, for example, Ella Fitzgeralds head piece represents her time period.
Mr. Alexander provides a jazz glossary of musical vocabulary and a reference for the musicians used in the text. He also provides context or background information for the music or songs in the story and there is also a historical jazz timeline. Some vocabulary include band, percussion, acoustic, Cotton Club and jazz.
I recommend this text as it tells about Jazz musicians in a fun-filled way. Children learn about these musicians and instruments through text and colorful pictures and without having to read a length biography which can be a turn-off to some children.
The story is about a rooster who wants to be a jazz star and tries to join several bands to win the farms talent show, but after several obstacles he starts his own. The story is told through rhyme with visuals of instruments and with settings capturing the look and feel of the historical time period of Latin and African American Jazz musicians, which are represented by animals to appeal to young viewers, for example, Ella Fitzgeralds head piece represents her time period.
Mr. Alexander provides a jazz glossary of musical vocabulary and a reference for the musicians used in the text. He also provides context or background information for the music or songs in the story and there is also a historical jazz timeline. Some vocabulary include band, percussion, acoustic, Cotton Club and jazz.
I recommend this text as it tells about Jazz musicians in a fun-filled way. Children learn about these musicians and instruments through text and colorful pictures and without having to read a length biography which can be a turn-off to some children.
September 21, 2018
If you have an appreciation for music and especially jazz and the history of jazz this is a great book. There is a timeline in the back of the book taking the big milestones and mentioning some of the musicians. This book could spark the interest of students. The story itself is entertaining even through third grade but I would recommend playing some of the music for the students who you are reading this to.
June 16, 2021
I can't believe I'm just now reading this. I really enjoyed it and all of the wonderful music references. I will definitely collaborate with my music teacher to do something fun with this one and Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie too. And to know that the Kennedy Center is working on a musical makes it even more exciting!!
May 4, 2022
Reading age
4 - 6 years
4 - 6 years
March 10, 2023
Fun, rhyming tale about anthropomorphic animal musicians based on jazz greats. The rhyming narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish.
I suppose the animals might engage children more, but it feels as though there's something missing. Or maybe that the book is trying too hard to do too much in a short picture book.
I appreciate iated the Biographical and historical notes provided at the end of the book.
I suppose the animals might engage children more, but it feels as though there's something missing. Or maybe that the book is trying too hard to do too much in a short picture book.
I appreciate iated the Biographical and historical notes provided at the end of the book.
August 6, 2017
Ha ha ha! Okay, so I read an excellent children's book that I recommend for anyone to read, especially if you love farm animals and music!
The Acoustic Rooster wanted to be a star so he practiced all summer on his guitar. He knew that Farmer held a talent contest every year to find the best farm band there is. The story is told in rhymed poetry as the rooster goes around talking to other animals to see if he can join their band: Thelonious Monkey's crew, Mules Davis, Ella Finchgerald, Duck Ellington, Bee Holiday, Poncho Ernesto Cruz (the percussion pig) that the other animals decided to call Pork Chop.
I had NO idea I'd learn so much about music from this book! Thank you, Kwame Alexander! There is a page that has "Acoustic Rooster's Jazz Glossary" and it has "Musical Vocabulary" such as terms like Riff, "a repeated phrase or pattern in jazz music," and Bebop, "a style of instrumental jazz that features a fast tempo and a lot of improvisation. It's also known as bop." And several other types are listed and defined, which is very educational for children (and evidently some adults...me)!
There is also a page that titled "Musicians, Characters, and Music" that tells about the allusions in the book: "Bee Holiday," for example, "is based on Billie Holiday, who was an American jazz singer and songwriter. She was admired all over the world for her deeply personal and intimate singing style." Then there is " 'As Long As You Can Swing,' inspired by Duke Ellington's hit song, 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing).' " And of course Duke Ellington is one of the musicians listed so the reader can learn about him and many others.
Then the "Acoustic Rooster's Jazz Timeline" describes very well different types of music:
"1700's Powerful rhythms of African percussion, slaves' work songs, and spiritual hymns form the roots of the American music genre that would become known as jazz," and then it goes on to discuss the 1800's all the way through the 2000's.
Yes, this is a children's book. Yes. It. Is. Colorful. Yes, it is poetry told in rhyming stanzas. Yes, it is EASY and QUICK to read. BUT I guarantee you that if you read it you will be very delighted and I truly hope some of you will pick it up and read it! It would make a wonderful gift. And don't forget that it's educational!
I am SO impressed!
The Acoustic Rooster wanted to be a star so he practiced all summer on his guitar. He knew that Farmer held a talent contest every year to find the best farm band there is. The story is told in rhymed poetry as the rooster goes around talking to other animals to see if he can join their band: Thelonious Monkey's crew, Mules Davis, Ella Finchgerald, Duck Ellington, Bee Holiday, Poncho Ernesto Cruz (the percussion pig) that the other animals decided to call Pork Chop.
I had NO idea I'd learn so much about music from this book! Thank you, Kwame Alexander! There is a page that has "Acoustic Rooster's Jazz Glossary" and it has "Musical Vocabulary" such as terms like Riff, "a repeated phrase or pattern in jazz music," and Bebop, "a style of instrumental jazz that features a fast tempo and a lot of improvisation. It's also known as bop." And several other types are listed and defined, which is very educational for children (and evidently some adults...me)!
There is also a page that titled "Musicians, Characters, and Music" that tells about the allusions in the book: "Bee Holiday," for example, "is based on Billie Holiday, who was an American jazz singer and songwriter. She was admired all over the world for her deeply personal and intimate singing style." Then there is " 'As Long As You Can Swing,' inspired by Duke Ellington's hit song, 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing).' " And of course Duke Ellington is one of the musicians listed so the reader can learn about him and many others.
Then the "Acoustic Rooster's Jazz Timeline" describes very well different types of music:
"1700's Powerful rhythms of African percussion, slaves' work songs, and spiritual hymns form the roots of the American music genre that would become known as jazz," and then it goes on to discuss the 1800's all the way through the 2000's.
Yes, this is a children's book. Yes. It. Is. Colorful. Yes, it is poetry told in rhyming stanzas. Yes, it is EASY and QUICK to read. BUT I guarantee you that if you read it you will be very delighted and I truly hope some of you will pick it up and read it! It would make a wonderful gift. And don't forget that it's educational!
I am SO impressed!
November 2, 2018
Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band.
I’m actually a jazz guitarist, pianist, vocalist, and trumpeter myself, so I was thrilled to find Kwame Alexander and Tim Bowers' work. My 3 year old niece has repeatedly asked me to read her this book. She loves the barn and cows in the background. She always remembers that Duck Ellington is Rooster's cousin. She attentively listens as I stop to explain some of the musical terms, such as trio, scat, baby grand, pianist, gig, percussion, bebop, bossa nova, encore, and riff. I mimic some of the instruments and musical forms, and sing the title “The Hen from Ipanema.” I don't think she fully understands the details, but the story is brief and entertaining, and every time I read it, she wonders if Mules Davis is going to win the talent show again. Acoustic Rooster is a wonderful vehicle to share the love of music and animals with children of a variety of ages. I highly recommend this book, and rate it 5/5 stars.
I’m actually a jazz guitarist, pianist, vocalist, and trumpeter myself, so I was thrilled to find Kwame Alexander and Tim Bowers' work. My 3 year old niece has repeatedly asked me to read her this book. She loves the barn and cows in the background. She always remembers that Duck Ellington is Rooster's cousin. She attentively listens as I stop to explain some of the musical terms, such as trio, scat, baby grand, pianist, gig, percussion, bebop, bossa nova, encore, and riff. I mimic some of the instruments and musical forms, and sing the title “The Hen from Ipanema.” I don't think she fully understands the details, but the story is brief and entertaining, and every time I read it, she wonders if Mules Davis is going to win the talent show again. Acoustic Rooster is a wonderful vehicle to share the love of music and animals with children of a variety of ages. I highly recommend this book, and rate it 5/5 stars.
September 7, 2012
Acoustic Rooster is a fun book with colorful illustrations and plenty of musical jargon to introduce the kids to. There is also plenty of rhyming words for the kids to point out and have fun with. They could play a musical cooperation game to the tune of jazz music by some of the artists slyfully mentioned in the book as having animal monikers. Since the pictures are so vivid the kids who would want to read to themselves and look at the pictures to make their own story. Depending on the grade and the class, they might be able to write their own lyrics, as a class, about another subject using similar music related to this book.
February 13, 2015
Inspired by Kwame Alexander's Newbery win, I checked out his webpage and discovered he also wrote this picture book. Super-fun! Skye: "I like how it referenced [jazz] people I don't know. I want to learn about them now." Felix: "I liked the music!"
January 3, 2016
Good read aloud. Music, jazz, instruments, famous musicians, play on words with names (name puns), farm animals, talent show. Similar farm animal talent show theme as Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin but with more historical/educational content and references.
September 11, 2014
This is just a delight to read. The illustrations just pop and the parents in storytime will get a chuckle out of the Barnyard Jazz greats. :)
December 19, 2015
Great, wonderful book with stunning illustrations! So much fun!
October 23, 2020
Alexander's book, The Acoustic Rooster and His Backyard Band is written in verse with characters modeled after jazz giants. It tells the story of a rooster who is determined to win the yearly band contest at his backyard, but soon realizes he cannot win with a solo act. Acoustic Rooster calls on four of his friends, and together the foursome creates beautiful music as they rock the barnyard. I found the music vocabulary page and the history of jazz music page that was printed at the end of the story to be especially unique. The language between the actual story of the Acoustic Rooster, the musical vocabulary, and history of jazz music pages contrasts greatly; meaning, children are not only given the opportunity to read a light-hearted story at their level, but can also discover more difficult words that are outside their comfort zone. While a child may not know or even understand the meaning of some of these words, educators can administer a spelling quiz on the words listed within the last couple pages to ensure that students are taking the time in understanding the word rather than memorizing the meaning. This in turn broadens their horizons, creating a more comfortable environment in which they are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. The only criticism that I want to make note of is the use of panels. This is a personal preference, however I wanted to comment about it because it really gives the audience, specifically children, an idea of where they stand within the story. Mixing in a variety of full bled images and panels gives more texture to the story and places children in a position in which they understand "how" they are looking at the picture; meaning, if they are looking at the events as an outsider or actually participating within the action. This is good for children, as they adapt to this kind of trend and can recognize where they stand within any book.
June 2, 2022
Kwame Alexander has a book for everyone, it seems! His picture book is full of veiled references to jazz musicians and songs and uses vocabulary associated with the musical genre, i.e. riff, scat, bebop and more. The plot is simple: a musical rooster yearns to win the barnyard talent show and gathers other jazz singing/playing animals to form a band. Many of those animals have names that resemble famous musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis. In the end, Accoustic Rooster does not win, but places a respectable second place, which he graciously accepts and seems genuinely pleased with, a great lesson for young ones that it is OK not to be number 1. A glossary of jazz terms, timeline of the music’s history, list of actual songs & musicians from the jazz era are included at the book’s end which extends the age range to well into elementary school. Lessons in cooperation, working hard, accepting loss graciously make this a mentor text for theme for older students as well as a great example for preschool and kindergarten. Illustrations by Tim Bowers are full page and beautiful. Highly recommended for music teachers at the elementary level as well as libraries serving ages 3 and up.
July 1, 2017
Following a jazzy rhyme scheme, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band finds Acoustic Rooster looking to join and then build a band to compete in the farm's annual band talent show. With illustrations that jump off the page, Acoustic Rooster is a fun read that incorporates pun-driven names for other musical artists in the book based on real jazz artists of the past. Kwame Alexander also includes a great deal of factual information in the back, including a musical instrument glossary, brief biographies of the parodied names, and a timeline of jazz music. Perhaps a source of inspiration for the young aspiring musician, Acoustic Rooster is a fun and fast-paced read that would be appropriate for preschool and up.
November 10, 2020
Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is the story of Acoustic Rooster, a jazz guitarist with a goal of making it big. When Farmer announces the annual barnyard talent show, through which he hopes to find the farm's best band, Rooster is determined to join a band so that he can compete. Alexander has written this in impeccable rhythm and rhyme, but that's not what stands out about the cleverness of the story... Alexander has also managed to base his barnyard musicians on real-life musicians, such as Duck Ellington and Mules Davis! Young readers can learn about the famous musicians, as well as some of their songs, various musical instruments, and the history of jazz (all covered in more detail in the backmatter).
August 19, 2020
I got this book to read when I heard about the second book coming out. I did like the story and felt it had great back matter about music in it for kids. I have one quibble with the illustration of the guitar as he is acoustic rooster so shouldn't the guitar look more like an actual acoustic? To me this looks like the illustrator wanted to use an electric body style without the plugs just to make it more exciting, but I felt like the art should match the theme. If acoustics can be made with the narrow sound holes, I apologize- just haven't seen an acoustic that doesn't have the round sound hole.
November 20, 2023
Not my favorite illustration style, but it works here. While perhaps trying a bit too hard at times, the text is overall good fun and readers familiar with jazz may find themselves chuckling at the inside jokes (Duck Ellington, Ella Finchgerald, the bossa nova tune The Hen from Impanema"). The story is still entertaining without background knowledge but a layer of the humor will be lost on anyone unfamiliar with jazz unless they read the back matter first. Bonus points for that back matter, which includes a brief history of jazz, a Glossary that includes A Musical Vocabulary; Musicians, Characters, and Music; and a Jazz Timeline. But, boo for not including any Bibliography.
April 27, 2018
Acoustic Rooster sees the farmers flyer for the talent show so he goes on a journey to find a band to play in. The rooster tries and tries to find a band but everyone is already full. Rooster begins to get sad but then he decides to make his own band. In the end the rooster was content because he knew he had the best band.
This book is kind of hard to follow but at the same time it does have some pretty good morals. Through this book it teaches that you have to keep trying to succeeding although its not completely clear it is a good moral. For that reason I gave this book a 2 star rating.
This book is kind of hard to follow but at the same time it does have some pretty good morals. Through this book it teaches that you have to keep trying to succeeding although its not completely clear it is a good moral. For that reason I gave this book a 2 star rating.
October 5, 2022
This is a fun rhyming story about a rooster who loves to play music. One day he brings all of his music friends, now in his band, and enters a music contest and competes against all kinds of professionals. The names of the characters sound a lot like famous jazz musicians and singers. At the end, there is an explanation of the character names/famous folks as well as a timeline of jazz music. Colorful illustrations throughout. Highly recommended for Black History month or a study of jazz for Grades K - 5.
February 10, 2019
Cute choice for parents and kids to read together. Rooster looks to put together a great jazz band to win the Barnyard talent show, with characters referencing jazz greats like Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald. Rhythm and rhyme hold up, and there's a history of jazz and a glossary of instruments and jazz terms in the back.
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2019: a book with a (Chinese!) zodiac sign or astrological term in the title
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2019: a book with a (Chinese!) zodiac sign or astrological term in the title
November 19, 2019
Farmer is holding a barnyard band competition and Rooster wants to enter. The problem is all the best acts are taken (spoiler: adults will recognize jazz legends transformed into farm animals, Mules Davis, Ella Finchgerald, Duck Ellington, and more) so Rooster sets out to form his own band. He doesn't win the contest but he does make a lot of new friends, and gets recognition from the great Mules Davis. Back-matter gives older readers a musical history timeline from the 1700's to the present.
January 8, 2018
Summary: Acoustic Rooster puts together his jazz band to try to win the barnyard prize.
Why I Read This: Kwame Alexander is coming to town.
Review: I actually really liked it. The rhyme scheme fit the jazz theme well. Plus, I love the educational program as Alexander played with the names of jazz greats.
Why I Read This: Kwame Alexander is coming to town.
Review: I actually really liked it. The rhyme scheme fit the jazz theme well. Plus, I love the educational program as Alexander played with the names of jazz greats.
July 16, 2018
Acoustic Rooster is a book for young and old. The references to well-known musicians could reinforce the love and curiosity of music in the young. Whereas it would bring a smile on the older generation - giving them a flashback memory of days ago.
I enjoyed reading the book and sharing it with my children.
I enjoyed reading the book and sharing it with my children.
February 11, 2021
Farmyard talent shows are surprisingly common kid lit fodder, but Alexander manages to make his unique by incorporating jazz language and puns on famous jazz musicians. I also really appreciated how Acoustic Rooster didn't win the show, but got props from the other musicians. Back matter includes a glossary, list of musicians, and a jazz timeline to further enhance family exploration.
February 27, 2024
Alexander Assignment #5
Classic tale of rooster and his jazz band - great shout out to real jazz musicians and singers with their names mentioned as the animal characters.
The story is great and it is not your expected ending, although it hits in the right place.
A great enjoyable book, by a mighty fine author.
Classic tale of rooster and his jazz band - great shout out to real jazz musicians and singers with their names mentioned as the animal characters.
The story is great and it is not your expected ending, although it hits in the right place.
A great enjoyable book, by a mighty fine author.
September 12, 2017
A very musical rhyming book. I like the idea of teaching kids that it's ok to not win every time. That even in losing, you can take away something good from your experience. My only knock on it is that no kid is going to get the jazz references, nor will they care when they are explained to them.
February 25, 2019
A cute story about a barnyard talent show with plenty of jazz puns. ("Duck Ellington" was my favorite of the animal musician names.) I appreciated the nonfiction tie-in pages at the end that included a jazz glossary, a list of musician the characters were based on, and a jazz history timeline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews